Snow-plow



F. L STEINHAUSER.

Car-Track Clearer.

.l Patented Feb. I9, 1861.

UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

FRANK J. STEINHAUSER, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

SNOW-PLOW.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. STEIN- HAUsnn, of Lancaster city, State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement for Cutting andShoveling Snow and Cutting Ice to Clear Railway- Tracks; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full and exact` description thereof,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters ofreference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in hoop-shaped cutters or snowbreakers in front of machine attached to shafts containing a number ofshovels set spirally on each side of machine, and ice breakers ortoothed wheels fastened at the back end of machine to break the ice olfthe rails.

A represents the circular cutters or snowbreakers, which are located infront, for the purpose of breaking the snow in pieces, or removing anyobstructions from the rails, so that the shovels B are relieved, andallowed to work easier without injury. These cutters are shaped like ahoop, and are fastened to the end of shaft C.

B represents 24 shovels (more or less in number) on each side of frame Dand are attached to arms on the horizontal shaft C. These shovels areset in spiral form, so as to work with their faces outward and curved inthe form of a flange of a horizontal revolving right and left screw, tothrow the snow out from the rails, several feet distance.

D represents the frame of an ordinary cow catcher or snow shovelcommonly used on locomotives as a snow plow.

E are bevel wheels at back end of shaft C to operate the shaft, but I donot confine myself to the use of these bevel wheels, but

desire to use any mode of gearing that may be best attached to alocomotive, for driving the shafts C and shovels B.

F are the ice cutters or breakers located at the hind end of frame D andare composed of three heavy wheels on each side, so as to bear upon therail. The center wheel G runs on-the rail while the outside wheels F actas flanges on each side of rail. The breakers Gr have teeth crosswise,like a cogwheel, to break the ice, while the wheels F have sharp cutteredges or flanges to cut the ice on each side of the rail. These icebreakers or cutters are attached to the back end of frame to be usedmovably up or down, and are intended to be adjustable according to theimpediments or obstructions that may be in the way, at crossingsswitches &c.

H are cross bars of wrought iron to brace and support the shafts C. f

The advantages are, first, this machine can be applied to a passengercar engine, and effectually clear the track, by which time is saved intraveling; second, it will perform the work that requires the employmentof a large number of men and the economy in the saving of labor makes itofthe highest utility.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is-The circular breakers A and shovels B.

K FRANK J. STEINHAUSER.

Vitnesses I. FRANKLIN REIGART,

Gr. H. WYLni.

